Pacemaker and Lead Extraction

Hi everyone.....this is my first post.
I am scheduled Apr 29 for pacemaker and Leads extraction and am very anxious about the procedure and possible complications
My pacer was first installed in 1998 for sinus node dysfunction (no heart attack) so my wires are 15 years old. My Cardio changed the pacer in June /12 and a bacteria entered my system at that time....only recently cultured in my blood. This bacteria lives on the wires so i have been told the only way to get rid of it is extraction. Currently I am on a massive dose of IV cloxacillin at home and my blood cultures are negative. Still they say the bacteria will still be alive on my wires. They will have to use a laser machine to help loosen my wires from my heart and this scares me tremendously.
Has anyone had this procedure done? Did you have side effects? I am only 66 and normally lead a very active life. This has certainly taken the wind out of my sails! ANY comments or advice would be appreciated. Thanks so much! Jan

4 Comments

Hi Mermaid Lady!!............

by Tattoo Man - 2013-04-21 02:04:20

.............................I am the guy that Don mentioned.Indeed I had a 'box and lead extraction in January...and why..yup, Infection. I asked my Surgeon why they could not just keep zapping me with antibiotics and give me lots of blood tests.

"Sorry MrTM ..blood tests may overlook low level infection...we have tried doing that and total extraction is the only answer"

Now I was like you very apprehensive / scared. My Surgeon agreed to let me have a general anaesthetic on the grounds that even when sedated I am a very twitchy patient. We both thought that it made sense.

I saw him last week and all of my tests show that I am 100% ok. I have just got back from a 6+ mile run,..I am 63 next month and feel just fine.

I think it is totally understandable that you are scared.

Pacemaker Club will always be here to answer your questions and help to allay your fears.

Keep us in touch and let us know how it went....on this Forum every single bit of information increases the huge fund of collective knowledge.

Tattoo Man, from the UK

Pacemaker and Lead Extraction

by mermaidjan - 2013-04-21 08:04:17

Oh my goodness, I am overwhelmed with your
3 positive responses so quickly! It really feels
Good to know of others who have been through this
with successful results.
That is so impressive Tattoo Man that you just completed
a 6+ mile run. Way to go! I am a swimmer
who's fills are getting rather sticky from lack
of swimming because of my IV line. I just dream
About donning my swimsuit again and swimming

Don, the name of the bacteria cultured in my blood
Was coagulase negative staphylococcus
It is apparently a 'wimpy' bacteria that can take
awhile to show up but it originates on the skin.

And thank you, Smitty - I will check out the link you
sent to me.

Thanks again everyone who has posted so far

I will keep you posted!

Jan

Lead Extraction

by donr - 2013-04-21 10:04:49

Oh, beauteous tailfinned wonder: There are at least three folks who have had the laser roto-rooter procedure done successfully. Recently, no less. If they do not show up by tonight, I'll dig out some stuff about it & ship it to you in a plain brown wrapper

Unfurl your sails & pray for a fair wind. Other than the infection you have, an extraction these days is a safe procedure w/ a very high success rate & not much worse than an implantation as far as aftereffects is concerned.

Whoops!!!!! just remembered - Tattoo Man, from the UK just recently had it done. IIRC, he was in & out of the hosp overnight. Felt great the next day. He posts every day. MOF, I think he was here this AM, so you should hear from him .

Can you tell me the name of the bug you had?

Don

Lead Extraction

by SMITTY - 2013-04-21 12:04:54

Hello,

If you haven't already, I think you will find the information at this web site very interesting.

http://circ.ahajournals.org

It is from the American Heart Association and give some details on lead extraction.

Good luck,

Smitty

You know you're wired when...

The dog’s invisible fence prevents you from leaving the backyard.

Member Quotes

In fact after the final "tweaks" of my pacemaker programming at the one year check up it is working so well that I forget I have it.